Photo:

A fresh signing to hip label Kitsune, the greatly anticipated debut from the quirky indie band Citizens! doesn’t disappoint, ‘Hear We Are’ is an eclectic mix of catchy tunes and definite statement that the band have landed on our radar.

The hypnotic lyrics are accompanied by synthy electro pop, next to edgy bass and strong riffs. With subtle Bowie and Hot Chip influences, the album instantly captures the listener. The band have produced an album, which is drenched in indie pop, with a quirky refreshing sharpness to it. The cool lyrics are playful and never too serious, but still pack a punch - as heard on the smart, clever track '(I’m in love with your) Girlfriend'.

Album opener ‘True Romance’ immediately gives you a taste of what to expect throughout the record, with a memorable one-liner chorus, creating an upbeat and mesmerising track with that Bowie warble and the use of what can only be described as sparkly synthesisers.

‘Reptile’ is possibly one of the best tracks, a deconstructed guitar piece, giving the band its edge, as they refuse to create tunes that merge together throughout the record. The track has a great hook, which is hard to forget, with an ingenious bridge subsequently creating an intelligent track.

As the album progresses the songs do become more acoustic and less jaunty but this doesn’t detract from the originality of the tracks. For instance the track ‘Know Yourself’, is actually pretty soulful and brings the record to a calming and thoughtful close cleverly encouraging you to listen to the whole album once again.

Overall Citizens! new album ‘Hear We Are’, produced by Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand, is a carefully thought out record, full of upbeat electro hits, coherent indie pop at its best.